Sanborn & Scofield play Barbican

The spring programme at the Barbican, London features David Sanborn and John Scofield plus a tribute to record label Strata East

The jazz line-up at the Barbican Centre in London this spring features a double bill from David Sanborn and John Scofield, as well as a look at the artist-led record label Strata East as told by DJ Gilles Peterson.

Saxophonist David Sanborn plays the Barbican on Saturday 11 April in a return to the soulful fusion style that made his name in the 1980s and 1990s. Returning to the Centre after a sold-out show in 2013, Sanborn has played with the likes of James Brown, Jaco Pastorius, Gil Evans and David Bowie.

Opening for Sanborn on 11 April, guitarist John Scofield will play a duet set with vocalist/pianist Jon Cleary (pictured). Taking Scofield’s 2009 recording Piety Street as its launch-pad, the set will explore the blues and gospel of the American Deep South.

Another highlight of the Barbican spring programme is Gilles Peterson’s exploration of the record label Strata East on Sunday 22 March. The evening will include performances from trumpeter Charles Tolliver, pianist Stanley Cowell, bassist Cecil Bee and drummer Alvin Queen, plus special guests including vocalist Jean Carne. The set will tell the story of the music that came from Strata East in the 1970s and helped define the sound of the Afro-jazz, post-bop and spiritual jazz of the period.

Tickets can be booked online at barbican.org.uk or call the box office on 020 7638 8891.

Sally Evans-Darby

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